Hidden Pain

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Recommended: Depression and its effects in adolescents

Many have agreed that the stages of adolescence are the most difficult times in a person’s life. During this period, too many people find themselves suffering in silence, and turning to harmful behaviors such as, cutting, burning, extreme dieting, and even suicide as a method of dealing with their pain. I fell victim to these factors as well. Day in and day out I starved myself to achieve perfection that did not exist. Purged every bite I was forced to ingest in hopes of ridding myself of all pain and emotional baggage. I ran my emaciated, eighty five pound, body into the ground as a method of coping with life. However, I smiled, laughed, and pretended like everything was great when I was with my family. After several years of struggling with the thoughts associated with Anorexia Nervosa I never told anyone. I was embarrassed, and the thoughts and feelings did not make sense to me. I am close with each of my parents and I still did not want to take the risk of disappointing them. Even though my peers witnessed my unhealthy behaviors they did not tell an adult. Looking back I began to wonder why. Why would they let me harm myself like that right in front of their eyes? My behaviors did not make sense to them, and my threats of hatred and relationship abolishment overpowered their logic. It became apparent to me that this is all too common in high schools especially. Programs for students, teachers, and parents regarding education about noticing warning signs, and addressing self-harming behaviors do not exist, and need to be installed to ensure more methods of prevention and treatment of self-harming activities. I admitted to treatment and received help before my eating disorder killed me. Unfortunately, not everyone is given the ... ... middle of paper ... ...ke a problem does not exist does not make it disappear. So, how many more children have to get hurt or die before preventative measures are taken? Just because the person may not be your child, best friend, or sibling does not mean that they are not someone else’s. If more adults are educated about how to recognize warning signs, and more children are given outlets for discussing, then more lives can be helped and saved before it is too late. Even though it is downright scary, and may not make sense to you, if you are harming yourself or considering to do so, if you know or think that your friend is harming themselves, or if you are concerned about your child, confront them, and get them the help that they deserve. No doubt, it will be uncomfortable for all of you; but, temporary discomfort is much better than mourning the death of a child, sibling, and best friend.

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